[VFLXC90]

I'm going to replace my front pads and rotors.
Are there specail tools, procedures reguired to do so.
I usally work on Domestic vehicles so this will be my 1st time with a Volvo.
I plan on getting factory rotors,pads.
Or I'm open to suggestions.

 

[thebracko]

You'll need a 7mm hex/allen socket. Otherwise very straightforward.

Factory pads & rotors are best IMO. Best feel & least noise issues.

 

[VFLXC90]

I youtubed it.
Seems straight forward.
FCP sells aftermarket Rotors and factory pads.
Any suggestions.
Seems most people are happy with this combo? About $240 if I do repairs.

The rotors are slightly warped.No major shake while braking,but can see some hot spots on rotor face, pads seem to be 10mm or so.
I was thinking about a light cut to rotors, very slight ridge at edge of rotor. Cost to cut rotors around $40, should get 20,000 miles out of it. Saving $200 for other odds and ends. Leaning towards cut if, there is enough material on rotors.

 

[VFLXC90]

You'll need a 7mm hex/allen socket. Otherwise very straightforward.

Factory pads & rotors are best IMO. Best feel & least noise issues.

Thanks

See other thoughts I just posted.

 

[safetyfirst]

For safety reasons, I never resurface rotors on our XC90. I buy new rotors and use Akebono ceramic pads. Great stopping, minimal dust. The harder composite may cause the rotors to wear faster though.

 

[Tommm]

there a too many threads on this topic. akebono pads are on my front and the fronts are always much much cleaner than the rears with factory pads. they stop as well or better than the factory. i put centric premium rotors on our xc90 because I couldnt justify the price of factory or zimmerman rotors on a street car. your money, you do what you want, but tire rack sell centric and they usually dont sell junk. others have the $30 rotors on their xc90 and are not complaining. i dont need platinum, and dont want junk. i thenk the centric premium is a good compromise. YMMV

so, what are the saftey reasons for not resurfacing rotors?

 

[safetyfirst]

so, what are the saftey reasons for not resurfacing rotors?

Thin rotors = overheating.

 

[Tommm]

Thin rotors = overheating.

only if you turn them so they are thinner than spec. which raises the question - why would you resurface them so they are thinner than spec?

 

[MetroMan]

I am having the brakes done on our XC90 this week as well. Not having the time to do so myself, I am having a shop do the labor. I've always wondered if there was anything special/unique about this car...looks like there are 4 pads per rotor. I've done the brakes plenty of times on my old saturn. I went with akebono pads from amazon.com, and regular standard rotors from brakeperformance.com

 

[MetroMan]

I am having the brakes done on our XC90 this week as well. Not having the time to do so myself, I am having a shop do the labor. I've always wondered if there was anything special/unique about this car...looks like there are 4 pads per rotor. I've done the brakes plenty of times on my old saturn. I went with akebono pads from amazon.com, and regular standard rotors from brakeperformance.com

ha...nevermind my comment about 4 pads. I'm an idiot. I was looking at a set of pads for both sides.

 

[VFLXC90]

Thanks for the feed back.
My rotors are only slightly warped.
No major ridge on them.
If they can be cut within spec. and we are not hard on them, then we should get 20,000 or so out of them.
I will check the pads, but last check per dealership indicated 10 mm on a 12mm (new pad).

 

[Mr. P]

Don't do as I do or as I say, but guys, I ran a set of original rotors on our 2.5 AWD from 2004 to 2012, racking up 134,000 miles and then traded it in at the dealership for what I thought was pretty darn good trade. The dealership had all the service records, knew the car, never mentioned a word about it when we brought it in.....they took it off, looked it over, and announced they would put $3000 into the car and sell it as a certified Volvo pre-owned car (because it was well cared for and was spotless inside). During the course of ownership the dealership made several attempts to change out the rotors but at each time I said I was not ready to do it. Yes they were worn and needed replacement.

regards,

P

 

[rollie]

I put Akebono pads on the XC in '08 and needed new front rotors a LOT earlier than I would have expected (turns out the Mrs. told me she rides the brakes a lot - especially down hill.) I bought a new set of front OEM rotors and pads for $178 (plus $27 shipping) from Rockauto about 18 months ago and they're still going strong with minimal wear (and that includes a recent HPDE teen school track day with our son flinging the beast around at triple digit speeds.)

I replaced the rotors and pads on the XC when we had it down in the Virgin Islands but now that it's back in Seattle I'll never bother to do it again - just pay the independent shop as it's not worth my time.

 

[VFLXC90]

I read somewere, the aftermarket Zimmerman rotors are German. They are supposed to be better then the Chinese?

This will be something I will consider, if I can't cut my rotors.

 

[Mr. P]

I read somewere, the aftermarket Zimmerman rotors are German. They are supposed to be better then the Chinese?

This will be something I will consider, if I can't cut my rotors.

I replaced my 1983 Porsche 928 rotors with Zimmermans. No telling where they are made today, however, I was totally astounded to discover I could even buy a windshield for that old of a car, made in China, but went with the German one at an extra $100 just to assure a fit. If you are planning on going through all the motions to remove the rotors to have them turned, I would suggest just running them until such time they need to be replaced and then put on new ones. The ridges on the perimeter of the rotor mean nothing other than to show how much wear has taken place on the main rotor. If they get in the way they're just worn off, no problem.

regards,

P

 

[txag_xc90]

I read somewere, the aftermarket Zimmerman rotors are German.

Zimmerman rotors are made in Germany. They are very well-made rotors and are corrosion resistant as well. You might also consider the Ate brand of rotors, which are also made in Germany and are the OEM for Volvo. I used the un-coated Baldo rotors on the back of the XC90 and they rusted in a few days. You can try coating the "top hat" of the rotor with brake paint and see if it hold up better.

I used Akkenbono pads all the way around. They stop well and have low dust.

Make sure that you check what size rotors you have on the front because some model years/tire combinations have different sizes.

 

[VFLXC90]

Thanks for the feed back